Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/182

Rh

To bring him. What could my strength do

A fortress-wall to batter through

And draw him forth? My strength is gone

Since that I madly made me one

Of Love’s sworn servants. Idleness

It was, with shame I now confess,

That brought my life to this estate,

When she, at my request, the gate

Of this fair garden open threw;

Alas! that she no better knew

Than hearken my insane desire;

Such foolish asking should inspire

Nought but contemptuous scorn, and she

Should have reproved my idiocy—

A madman’s prayer should not be more

Considered than an apple core.

And mad was I, and therefore fell

Through her good-nature to the hell

I now endure of sighs and tears,

And doublings, miseries, and fears.

Right well hath Reason understood

My case; ah! why did I her good

And kind advice, then, cast away,

Love to forego? Woe worth the day!

With justice did her lips reprove

The hasty way in which to Love

I gave myself; ’twas thence, alas!

My misery grew: could aught surpass

My madness? Could I but forget

The vows my lips have sworn! and yet

What say I? Should I then betray

My master, Love, and cast away